The Day Our Promise Breaks

"Stop beating around the bush-did you tell Charles or not?"

Dahlia's voice was icy as she cut Wesley off mid-sentence.

Charles had already come looking for him.

But Wesley wasn't about to give in so easily.

Just as he was about to fire back another cold, sarcastic remark, Dahlia suddenly pressed the phone to Sandy's ear.

Sandy immediately helped Dahlia press him, "Daddy, did you give Mommy's evidence to Daddy Charles?"

"Sandy, this is grown-up business. Be a good girl and don't ask about these things," Wesley's tone softened instantly when he spoke to Sandy.

But Sandy wasn't buying it. "Daddy, did you or not? If you don't tell me, I'll never visit you again! I'll never call you Daddy!"

Sandy knew Wesley adored her.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have forgiven her when she'd obeyed her mother and pulled out his oxygen tube-almost killing him—and still, he hadn't blamed her.

But Sandy didn't treasure that love.

She wished, more than anything, that Daddy Charles would love her like that instead.

"Sandy!"

"Daddy, I just got out of surgery. I'm still recovering. If you upset me, if I get too emotional, my health will get worse."

"Don't you love me? How could you stand to see me get sick again, to let me keep suffering?"

Sandy was a natural actress. As she spoke, she clutched her chest and started breathing heavily, her little face contorting in pain.

She'd been sick twice. She knew exactly what real suffering looked like.

So her act was all too convincing.

Wesley could ignore Dahlia, but when it came to his only daughter, he simply couldn't stand firm.

Even if he could see that Sandy was acting, that didn't change the facts.

When you truly love someone, you're always the one at a disadvantage.

In the end, Wesley compromised. "No, sweetheart, Daddy didn't tell Charles. Don't worry."

That was exactly the answer Dahlia needed.

Sandy immediately looked up at Dahlia.

Dahlia visibly relaxed, relief washing over her face. It seemed, for once, that fate was on her side.

She'd been racking her brain, worrying about how she'd ever destroy the evidence if Wesley had already told Charles where it was.

But now, with the secret still safe, Dahlia had the upper hand.

She shot Sandy a look, and Sandy, following Dahlia's instructions, threatened Wesley again: "Daddy, if you ever give Mommy's evidence to Daddy Charles, I'll never forgive you."

"I love Mommy. I don't want anything to happen to her. And if something does, I won't want to live, either."

“I'm not joking, Daddy. Remember: I live and die with Mommy."

"My life is a gift from Mommy. If she's gone, I don't want to go on, either."

For a seven-year-old, Sandy spoke of death as if it were nothing.

She was using her own life to threaten her father.

Wesley's hand trembled as he held the phone.

How had Dahlia brainwashed Sandy like this? She'd never treated Sandy well, yet Sandy clung to her mother with all her heart.

Wesley was terrified that if something happened to Dahlia, Sandy would really do something drastic.

And he wasn't there to protect her.

As for Charles-Sandy

wasn't his

biological child, and now that he'det

b's true colors, het

love her the way he once did.

If he didn't pay attention, Sandy could really get hurt.

She was Wesley's only child.

He couldn't take that risk.

If he lost that bet, he'd lose everything.

As long as he had Sandy, he could find a son-in-law to take the family name. The bloodline would go on.

"Alright, Daddy promises. I won't tell Charles. Mommy will be fine."

"But you have to promise Daddy too-take care of yourself, and don't let anything happen to you."

"Okay."

Sandy replied impatiently, barely listening to Wesley's concern.

He swallowed his bitterness, trying

Comfort himself: Once I'm out of I teach Sandy patiently She'll

here,

out right.

No parent wants to admit their child is truly lost.

He kept telling himself it was Dahlia who'd led Sandy astray. Deep down, he

believed Sandy was still a good kid.

"Let me speak to your mom."

Sandy didn't hand over the phone right away but looked at Dahlia for approval.

Dahlia reached out, and only then did Sandy pass her the phone.

"Dahlia, you'd better take good care of Sandy. If anything happens to her, I swear I'll make you wish you wère dead Wesley's voice was icy cold, full of threat.

But Dahlia wasn't fazed at all.

Sandy's kidney transplant had been successful. She was perfectly healthy now.noveldrama

What could possibly happen?

She had nothing to fear.

"Wesley, listen to me. If you dare give that evidence to Charles-"

She glanced at Sandy as she spoke, and the threat was crystal clear.

Wesley's fists clenched.

But there was nothing he could do.

He couldn't let go of Sandy. He couldn't take that gamble.

Charles had no idea Dahlia had gone to see Wesley.

He parked his car outside the hospital, climbed out, and headed upstairs.

He'd arrived just in time-Andrew was in the process of delivering the results of a last-minute test to the room.